Chapters 11 and 12 Summary

Hornblower, Bush, and Brown move the boat to the river and load supplies. Hornblower notes with surprise that all of the serving women weep when Brown says goodbye; he also notes with surprise that Brown's French is quite good. The men enter the boat and shove off down the river, drifting with the current and putting out fishing poles to complete their disguise. They occasionally ground on the shallow river bottom, and from time to time make difficult portage around obstacles. As the hours pass by, Hornblower thinks of Marie and feels shame for having so comported himself with her. In the evening they land and prepare dinner. The men find it awkward to resume a life of naval discipline together after such a prolonged and relaxed stay. Their necessary proximity and disparate ranks add to the awkwardness.

Days pass and...